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DollyM · Veteran Member

Toddler and big kids for sale

precious_lullabies · Guru

I think that they're cute, the toddler one especially when free standing looking up at the camera.

Can i make some suggestions though??

I think its the way your babies are dressed and also maybe the layout of your auction page.
I think both girls would sell better in daintier clothing, its cleche but little girls in little dresses or pink bows in hair do seem to grab peoples hearts more readily --- In my opinion and from my own baby sales experiance. Somthing special but doesn't have to be fancy
http://www.blossomtots.com.au/database/images/prod_670.jpg
http://www.blossomtots.com.au/extra_img.aspx?id=389&img=prod_389.jpg
http://www.blossomtots.com.au/extra_img.aspx?id=571&img=prod_571.jpg

for your older girl maybe follow the "Tween fashion" - something with a little funk, yet still girlie
http://www.labellaflorachildrensboutique.com/cach-cach-girls-suede-butterflies-tunic-pant-outfit.html
http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-17102259411242_2006_33121191

list more photos, sit your toddler on a blanket with some toys around and in hand. Have her stand reaching up of a sippy-cup on a benchtop. Pose her investigating her own toes etc. Try and set up some cute real live toddler situations -- IMO i'd love to see her on a blanket with toys thats she's playing with or investigating... drumming on a saucepan with a wooden spoon (makeshift drumkit that every kid has done at sometime)... maybe sitting on the kitchen floor with the tupperware pulled out of the cupboard.

your older girl might be sitting looking at a book, with crayons and "art work", maybe standing on the steps of some play equipment. Style her hair in different ways, showing a few different looks.

I've just *finished* my first toddler - i say *finished* as her body slip was missed out of my order by mistake so am still waiting for it to come, so just now she's still in pieces.

The other thing i'd maybe suggest it attempting to hand root your toddlers hair... it is a LOT of work - i know coz i just did mine, but people do value this work and it does give a more life like finished look than what a wig can.

But seriously, change the clothing on both these little girls and think about your photo composure as well as some cute hair bows etc and i'm almost positive these little ones will be snapped up.

Heather M · Senior Member

I think Naomi is giving good advice here. I also think part of the problem is simply the market. Ebay sales are always slower in the summer and I think that most people tend to shop for reborn babies rather than toddlers--though the toddlers are cute. I've always thought about doing one myself, but I find that babies, specifically preemies, are my best sellers. If you keep using wigs rather than rooting, you might try using the Kemper mohair wigs. They are the only ones I use on my babies because they are the most realistic.

Also, if you do decide to look for "girlier" clothes, you might try shopping clearance at stores like Family Dollar or Walmart. Just today I saw some really cute baby/toddler Easter dresses on clearance for $3- $5!

Also, I nominate Naomi to give us all critiques!

LovesDolls · Guru

I agree, Naomi's advice is good! I agree with what she has said.

precious_lullabies · Guru

Dolly M -- have you been back to read this??? Hope i haven't offend you any with my suggestions

DollyM · Veteran Member

Just stopped by, not offended but I have tried all those things, changing clothes, adding pictures, taking away pictures but it's just summer and summer stinks for Ebay sales. (January through early June this year was amazing in sales, the best I have ever had!) But I decided to try something different and beat the summer cheapie crowd at it's own game. Rather than lower the price on my dolls, I raised them and yup, I got a bid on the big girl at $50.00 over my original asking price! I think people watch and wait in the summer to see if you lower the price and wait it out cause they know that they can. So I figured I know what my dolls are worth and I have have already lost money on EBay so I will just list them for what I have lost in EBay fees plus what I want. I think I will just do that from now on. Going down in price just makes people think that my dolls are worth less. After all, they are not cheap, mass produced junk that is made in China!
As far as rooting, no way! I tried it a few times on babies and hated doing it. I like the wigs because they look great and have lots of style options for the older kids that rooted heads don't have. I pick very nice, high quality wigs too so it's not like it is a cheaper option. I have never had a complaint and I have heard plenty of people complain about rooting jobs they get with people who bought rooted hair dolls. So, I will stick with the nice wigs that I use.

Buffington · Guru

DollyM wrote:

...But I decided to try something different and beat the summer cheapie crowd at it's own game. Rather than lower the price on my dolls, I raised them and yup, I got a bid on the big girl at $50.00 over my original asking price! I think people watch and wait in the summer to see if you lower the price and wait it out cause they know that they can. ...I think I will just do that from now on. Going down in price just makes people think that my dolls are worth less. After all, they are not cheap, mass produced junk that is made in China!

UH OH! I see we are doing some bashing again here ("After all, they are not cheap, mass produced junk that is made in China!"), now play nice or I'll have to send you for a time out! I know it makes you crazy but...

Yes, I know of several people (and companies) who do the raise the price thing. Sometimes it really makes people look twice and think 'oh c**p, I should have bought it before' and then they're in a tizzy about it! Most of the time it works (as you have seen).
I personally would never, have never, lowered the price of any of my dolls if they are not selling. And you are right, some might think that if you lower the price they are not worth the original price you were asking. Then when you put babies on at a later date they just go... hey! if we wait she'll lower the price, and so they wait. I mean you don't want to price yourself out of the ballpark but to go up instead of down makes someone take notice!

precious_lullabies · Guru

oh i like the idea of that, raising the price instead of lowering. Its been sometime now since i had a baby not sell at all, but next time it happens i might try this little trick!!

over time i've slowly increased my auction start price. I'm currently starting at $250 but am thinking of increasing it again maybe to $300. But i don't think this is unreasonable as my work quality has improved over this same time period also.

Its wintre here (in Australia) but your right in sales dropping and ebay slowing down this time of year... leading up to christmas is the best for baby sales and shortly after when people have their gift money to spend. So i don't think its really about ppl being cheep this time of year rather a supply and demand issue - there is an increased demand around the holidays with ppl purchasing gifts and with an increase in demand people's bidding activity increases and prices are dirven up.

Still the "game" of increasing the price of an unsold item sounds like a really smart idea -one that i will employ myself when and if i have a baby not sell.

DollyM · Veteran Member

Buffington wrote:

DollyM wrote:

...But I decided to try something different and beat the summer cheapie crowd at it's own game. Rather than lower the price on my dolls, I raised them and yup, I got a bid on the big girl at $50.00 over my original asking price! I think people watch and wait in the summer to see if you lower the price and wait it out cause they know that they can. ...I think I will just do that from now on. Going down in price just makes people think that my dolls are worth less. After all, they are not cheap, mass produced junk that is made in China!
UH OH! I see we are doing some bashing again here ("After all, they are not cheap, mass produced junk that is made in China!"), now play nice or I'll have to send you for a time out! I know it makes you crazy but...

That isn't bashing Pat, I have always been proud of the fact that AV vinyl parts are made in America. I actively promote this to my customers. I think we buy way too many products that are manufactured out of country without even thinking about the consequences of what this means as well as the quality (or lack of)issues. Just because I am proud of AV for employing Americans and making a quality product doesn't mean I am bashing. I am just doing a little flag waving! Nothing wrong with that in this day and age when our country is limping along economically. biggrin

Heather M · Senior Member

I have found that my babies sell better when I ask more as well--as long as it isn't unreasonable. I am thinking of doing international listings on Ebay. I think it costs a bit more, but reborns are popular in Europe--and apparently Oz as well--and the American dollar isn't very strong right now. I have sold a few babies overseas already. I think international shipping usually runs about $45.

precious_lullabies · Guru

a little aussie girl here...

i list mine as willing to "ship world wide" which does mean they do come up in other ebays not just ebay.com.au

however apparently even though i list in category for reborns on the ebay.com.au in ebay.com my listings are found just under dolls but b/c of the way the different ebays are set up you can't really do anything about the category specifics it ends up in on the wider ebay link ups.

Buffington · Guru

Good hint Naomi!

Date: Aug 26, 2009

Hello,My name is nanashouse on e-bay and I just wanted to tell you I love them big dolls! Who do you buy them from? I have a 1972 reborn Chrissy doll toddler doll on e-bay now but I still love the bigger ones!

Date: Aug 26, 2009

Hello,I love your big doll, do you still have her or did you sell her on e-bay? Do you sell or trade or just sell your dolls?

Date: Aug 26, 2009

Nana, I don't buy them, I make them. I sold that particular doll a long time ago but have lots more that I make. Here is my website: www.tinastots-dolls.com if you would like to see more of my creations. (P.S. I am an authorized Apple Valley Doll Works dealer and most of my dolls are from Apple Valley products.)

DollyM · Veteran Member

Anonymous wrote:

Nana, I don't buy them, I make them. I sold that particular doll a long time ago but have lots more that I make. Here is my website: www.tinastots-dolls.com if you would like to see more of my creations. (P.S. I am an authorized Apple Valley Doll Works dealer and most of my dolls are from Apple Valley products.)

This is me above, I wasn't logged in and it listed me as anonymous.

Play Days Dolls · Guru

I love your big dolls, too. You know exactly how to capture the right look for the right expression! My AVDW kits are not moving well, and they are all so cute. Wish I had your gift for creating such lovable "kids."